NEWSROOM
Louisiana
Coastal Hazard Mitigation Guidebook
June
27, 2008
The recent
experiences of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are costly reminders
of the physical impact that coastal storms have on the landscape
of south Louisiana. If you live here, history indicates that you
have a 1-in-10 chance of being affected by a hurricane.
To improve
coastal communities’ ability to cope with a storm, the Louisiana
Sea Grant Law & Policy Program has prepared the Louisiana
Hazard Mitigation Guidebook. The 250-page book – which examines
issues from zoning and building siting to construction methods
and legal issues – is available for free.
“The
intent of the guidebook is to present basic strategies that can
help planners, managers and property owners in coastal communities
better prepare for and recover from hurricanes,” said Jim
Wilkins, LSG Law & Policy Program director. “Even though
Hurricane Katrina was the most destructive and costliest tropical
cyclone in the history of the United States, it is important to
remember that many previous storms were likely more powerful and
that there are more storms in our future.
“It
is up to us, as individuals and local governments, to take the
lead in protecting our lives and property and to establish resilient
and sustainable communities through our decisions on where and
how to build. The techniques discussed in the guidebook can be
implemented by local governments as well as individuals without
dependence on state or federal governments. In other words, this
is a ‘self-help’ book,” Wilkins said.
The strategies
outlined in the guidebook will reduce, but not eliminate, the
risks from coastal natural hazards such as storm surge, other
flooding, subsidence and sea level rise, and are meant to serve
as an extra layer of protection or an additional line of defense.
The guidebook also demonstrates how communities can adopt a flexible
approach to hazard planning and accommodate a wide range of attitudes
toward restrictions on the use of property to mitigate hazards.
An electronic
copy of the book can be downloaded from the LSG Law & Policy
Program Web site (www.lsu.edu/sglegal),
or a printed copy can be ordered by contacting Jessica Schexnayder,
105 Sea Grant Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge,
LA 70803. Please include a check or money order for $5 when ordering
a printed copy to cover shipping and handling. For general information
about obtaining a book, e-mail jsche15@lsu.edu.
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